EP1850237A1 - Tragbare Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Einstellung eines Hardwareidentitätscodes der tragbaren Vorrichtung - Google Patents

Tragbare Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Einstellung eines Hardwareidentitätscodes der tragbaren Vorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1850237A1
EP1850237A1 EP06008573A EP06008573A EP1850237A1 EP 1850237 A1 EP1850237 A1 EP 1850237A1 EP 06008573 A EP06008573 A EP 06008573A EP 06008573 A EP06008573 A EP 06008573A EP 1850237 A1 EP1850237 A1 EP 1850237A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
module
portable device
function
identity code
controller
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06008573A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Tzu-Hao Tsao
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lite On Technology Corp
Original Assignee
Lite On Technology Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lite On Technology Corp filed Critical Lite On Technology Corp
Priority to EP06008573A priority Critical patent/EP1850237A1/de
Publication of EP1850237A1 publication Critical patent/EP1850237A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
    • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
    • G06F9/44—Arrangements for executing specific programs
    • G06F9/4401—Bootstrapping
    • G06F9/4411—Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
    • G06F13/38—Information transfer, e.g. on bus
    • G06F13/382—Information transfer, e.g. on bus using universal interface adapter
    • G06F13/387—Information transfer, e.g. on bus using universal interface adapter for adaptation of different data processing systems to different peripheral devices, e.g. protocol converters for incompatible systems, open system

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and related portable device for hardware identity according to the pre-characterizing clauses of claims 1 and 10.
  • a portable device such as a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card or a compact flash (CF) card, has a hardware identity code.
  • PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
  • CF compact flash
  • the related art portable device can support only a single hardware identity code because the product identity and the vendor identity of the related art portable device are unique and cannot be modified.
  • the related art portable device can contain a module such as a non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory).
  • the flash memory can provide a data storing function, however, a user cannot utilize the portable device as a portable storage device due to the aforementioned unique identity problem.
  • the module of the portable device can provide other functions, the module cannot be utilized to provide said other functions.
  • the present invention aims at providing a portable device and method to set a hardware identity code corresponding to the portable device.
  • the claimed portable device includes a switch and controller coupled to two modules.
  • Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a portable device 20 according to the present invention.
  • the portable device 20 comprises a connection interface 21, a controller 22, a plurality of modules 26 and 28, and a switch 30.
  • the portable device 20 can establish a connection with a computer 10 through the connection interface 21.
  • the connection interface 21 is a USB (universal serial bus) plug that can be plugged into a USB port of the computer 10.
  • the portable device 20 can then provide the computer 10 with new additionally functionality.
  • the beneficiary of the connection interface 21 can be the user.
  • a user can use the portable device 20 with the assistance provided by the computer 10.
  • the module 26 is capable of performing a first function and corresponds to a first hardware identity code.
  • the first hardware identity code comprises a product identity (PID) PID1 and a vendor identity (VID) VID1.
  • the module 28 is capable of performing the second function and corresponds to a second hardware identity code.
  • the second hardware identity code comprises a product identity PID2 and a vendor identity VID2.
  • the modules 26 and 28 are independent, but the present invention is not limited to mutually independent modules.
  • the modules 26 and 28 can contain duplicate components or one of the modules 26 and 28 can share components with the other. Inasmuch as the first function is utilized, circuits and components in the modules 26 and 28 required by performing the first function will be activated/enabled first.
  • module 26 comprises the module 28 is utilized for describing the operation of setting the hardware identity code of the portable device 20 according to the present invention.
  • connection interface 21 could be any data transmission interface utilized for connecting with a system.
  • the portable device 20 can be a portable device (e.g., a wireless network card, a mouse, or an MP3 player) having a USB interface or having a PCMCIA interface.
  • the portable device 20 provides two functions, the above mentioned first and second functions.
  • the portable device 20 can provide more than two functions. In the present embodiment in which the metes and bounds of the present invention are not affected, the portable device 20 capable of providing only two functions is utilized for describing the operation of setting the hardware identity code of the portable device 20 according to the present invention.
  • the module 26 is utilized for providing a wireless network communication as the first function
  • the module 26 comprises a transceiver and other components related to the communication function
  • the module 28 utilized for the second function of storing data can be a flash memory or a non-volatile memory of other types.
  • the first and second hardware identity codes are not limited to the above-mentioned product identities PID1, PID2, and vendor identities VID1, VID2. They can be other hardware identity codes.
  • the module 26 utilized for providing the first function substantially comprises the module 28 utilized for providing the second function (the data storing function). That is, when the portable device 20 according to the present invention activates the first function, the module 26 that comprises the module 28 is required to be enabled. However, when the portable device 20 activates the second function, only the module 28 is required to be enabled.
  • the controller 22, coupled to the modules 26, 28 and the switch 30, is utilized for executing a firmware to control the portable device 20.
  • the user can determine to enable the module 26 or the module 28 by utilizing the switch 30 coupled to the controller 22.
  • the switch 30 is a DIP (dual in-line package) switch.
  • the switch 30 sends a selecting signal SS to communicate to the controller 22 which one of the first function or the second function the portable device 20 must perform.
  • the controller 22 enables the module 26 or the module 28 according to the selecting signal SS. If the selecting signal SS shows that the module 26 is selected for enablement, the controller 22 utilizes the product identity PID1 and the vendor identity VID1 as the product identity and the vendor identity of the portable device 20.
  • the controller 22 utilizes the product identity PID2 and the vendor identity VID2 as the product identity and the vendor identity of the portable device 20.
  • the related detailed description is provided in the following paragraphs. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, a user determines to enable the module 26 or the module 28 by utilizing the switch 30. The switch 30 then transmits the generated selecting signal SS to the controller 22. However, in other embodiments, the user can utilize other software or hardware means to implement the function provided by the switch 30, that is also covered in the scope of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a flowchart of setting the hardware identity code of the portable device 20 according to the present invention.
  • the operation of setting the hardware identity code of the portable device 20 comprises following steps:
  • the portable device 20, the USB wireless network card, has been plugged into a USB port of the computer 10.
  • the portable device 20 is told which of the modules 26 28 will be enabled by the controller 22 according to the selecting signal SS transmitted by the switch 30.
  • the controller 22 is informed that the module 26 will be enabled to provide the wireless network communication function (i.e., the first function) (step 200)
  • the controller 22 utilizes the product identity PID1 and the vendor identity VID1 corresponding to the module 26 as the product identity and the vendor identity of the portable device 20 (step 202).
  • the computer 10 detects the product identity and the vendor identity provided by the controller 22. These are respectively the product identity PID1 and the vendor identity VID1 (step 204).
  • the computer 10 determines if a driver DV1 corresponding to the product identity PID1 and the vendor identity VID1 has been installed (step 206). If so, the computer 10 directly executes the driver DV1 (step 208). If the driver DV1 is unavailable, the computer 10 can activate a driver installation procedure to obtain the driver DV1 corresponding to the product identity PID1 and the vendor identity VID1, and then install and execute the driver DV1 (step 210). At this time, the computer 10 considers the portable device 20 as a USB wireless network card. The computer 10 then utilizes the resident driver DV1 to control the operation of the portable device 20 (step 212).
  • the controller 22 If the controller 22 is informed according to the selecting signal SS that the module 28 will be enabled (step 200), as previously mentioned, the controller 22 utilizes the product identity PID2 and the vendor identity VID2 corresponding to the module 28 as the product identity and the vendor identity of the portable device 20 (step 202).
  • the computer 10 detects that the product identity and the vendor identity provided by the controller 22 are respectively the product identity PID2 and the vendor identity VID2 (step 204).
  • the computer 1 0 determines if a driver DV2 corresponding to the product identity PID2 and the vendor identity VID2 is available (step 206). If so, the computer 10 directly executes the driver DV2 (step 208).
  • the computer 10 can activate a driver installation procedure to obtain the driver DV2 corresponding to the product identity PID2 and the vendor identity VID2, and then install and execute the driver DV2 (step 210). At this time, the computer 10 considers the portable device 20 as a portable storage device. The computer 10 then utilizes the resident driver DV2 to control the operation of the portable device 20 (step 212).
  • the computer 10 could retrieve the driver DV1 through the Internet or by accessing an external storage medium (e.g., an installation optical disc), or the operating system of the computer 10 may already contain the driver DV1. Therefore, the computer 10 can retrieve, install, and execute the driver DV1.
  • the driver DV1 has been previously stored in the module 28 (the flash memory) of the portable device 20. If a user requires the computer 10 to install the driver DV1 stored in the module 28, the switch 30 is utilized to enable the desired module 28, then the driver DV1 is retrieved from the module 28; the related detailed description is included in the following.
  • the driver DV2 of the portable storage device is frequently built-in to various operating systems available on the market.
  • the operating system of the computer 10 supports the portable storage device, there is no need for the computer 10 to retrieve the driver DV2 through the Internet or by accessing an exterior storage medium.
  • the computer 10 can simply directly install and execute the driver D2 from the portable device 20.
  • the portable device 20 is capable of perceiving a switch in status of the active function by utilizing the switch 30.
  • a user is using the portable device 20 that is currently performing a specific function.
  • the portable device 20 can be switched to provide another function.
  • the portable device 20 that is performing the first function can be switched to perform the second function, and vice versa.
  • the selecting signal SS shows that the module 26 of the portable device 20 is enabled to perform the first function (the wireless network communication function). That is, currently the module 26 in the portable device 20 is providing the first function, and then the user can control the portable device 20 to switch to provide the second function by utilizing the switch 30.
  • the controller 22 detects that the selecting signal SS has been changed (step 214). The controller 22 then disables the module 26 and enables the module 28 instead (step 200). Next, the controller 22 replaces the product identity PID1 and the vendor identity VID1 (both corresponding to the module 26) with the product identity PID2 and the vendor identity VID2 (both corresponding to the module 28) as the product identity and the vendor identity of the portable device 20 (step 202). The computer 10 then detects the product identity PID2 and the vendor identity VID2 from the USB port (step 204).
  • the computer 10 is informed that the wireless network communication module (the portable device 20) plugged in the USB port has been removed, and a portable storage device (the portable device 20) replaces the wireless network communication module to be plugged into the USB port. Afterwards, steps 204 through 212 are sequentially performed to control the portable device 20.
  • the controller 22 enables the module 26 according to the selecting signal SS to allow the portable device 20 to perform the first function (the wireless network communication function)
  • the computer 10 has not installed the driver DV1 corresponding to the module 26 and the driver DV1 of the module 26 is stored in the module 28, the user utilizes the switch 30 to generate a new selecting signal SS to enable the module 28.
  • the controller 22 detects the selecting signal SS has changed (step 214).
  • the steps 200 through 212 are sequentially performed, whereby the computer 1 0 can retrieve the required driver DV1 from the module 28.
  • the user utilizes the switch 30 to again generate a new selecting signal SS to enable the module 26, and then steps 200 through 212 are sequentially performed.
  • the portable device 20 eventually performs the first function, and the computer 10 utilizes the resident driver DV1 to control the operation of the portable device 20.
  • the module 28 (the flash memory) providing the second function (the data storing function) is included within the module 26 providing the first function. Therefore, when the controller 22 enables the module 26 thereby providing power, the module 28 is necessarily supplied with power as well to allow the portable device 20 to perform the first function. However, in this condition, the portable device 20 does not provide the user with the second function. On the other hand, when the controller 22 enables the module 28 and provides the module 28 with power, the computer 10 views the module 28 as a portable storage device, and the circuits and components of the module 26 are not supplied with power except for module 28. In summary, to reduce power consumption in the present embodiment, the controller 22 in step 200 provides power only to the circuit components required by the selected function.
  • the controller 22 when the selecting signal SS corresponds to the first function (the wireless network communication function), the controller 22 provides the module 26 (including the module 28) with power. However, when the selecting signal SS corresponds to the second function (the data storing function), the controller 22 only provides the module 28 in the module 26 with power.
  • the manufacturer of the portable device 20 stores into the module 28 the driver (driver DV1) and related software programs required for operating the portable device 20.
  • the remaining storage space of the module 28 is provided for the user to store data.
  • the portable device 20 provides the user with the second function by way of utilizing the switch 30, the user can utilize the portable device 20 as a portable storage device. In other words, the user can store data into the module 28 and access the module 28 to retrieve the data.
  • the user also can determine to install or not to install the driver DV1 stored in the module 28.
  • the driver DV1 is utilized for operating the module 26 to allow the portable device 20 to perform the first function.
  • a design concern may include a storage space arrangement of the module 28.
  • An option is to allow the user to decide whether the driver DV1 stored in the module 28 will be installed or not, and another option to set the driver DV1 and the related software programs to be protected from being removed or modified.
  • the above-mentioned storage space arrangement and settings regarding protection of data can be designed as user controlled preferences.
  • updating the driver DV1 and the related software programs if they are set to be protected, it is necessary to utilize an updating program provided by the manufacturer to update or modify the driver DV1 and the related software programs with assistance provided by the firmware.
  • the present invention portable device in addition to providing the user with the original function, can utilize its own hardware components to provide additional functions.
  • a memory unit of the portable device can be utilized for providing the user with a data storing function; that means the user can store personal data in the memory unit.
  • the two (or more) functions provided by the portable device are provided by different modules; each has its own hardware identity code.
  • the hardware identity code of the portable device is set to be the hardware identity code of the module that provides the specific function.
  • various software or hardware means can be implemented for switching between two (or more) functions. For example, a switch can be installed in the portable device for this purpose.
  • the portable device capable of providing a data storing function can be utilized as a portable storage device.
  • the portable device manufacturer can also store the driver (e.g., the above-mentioned driver DV1) of the portable device and the related software programs in the same memory that provides the data storing function, whereas the remaining space is available to the user for storing data.
  • the user can install the driver of the portable device in any computer to control the operation of the portable device, without preparing an installation optical disc or an update program.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
EP06008573A 2006-04-25 2006-04-25 Tragbare Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Einstellung eines Hardwareidentitätscodes der tragbaren Vorrichtung Withdrawn EP1850237A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06008573A EP1850237A1 (de) 2006-04-25 2006-04-25 Tragbare Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Einstellung eines Hardwareidentitätscodes der tragbaren Vorrichtung

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06008573A EP1850237A1 (de) 2006-04-25 2006-04-25 Tragbare Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Einstellung eines Hardwareidentitätscodes der tragbaren Vorrichtung

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EP1850237A1 true EP1850237A1 (de) 2007-10-31

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0786736A2 (de) * 1996-01-29 1997-07-30 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Drucker und Steuerungsverfahren dafür
US6012103A (en) * 1997-07-02 2000-01-04 Cypress Semiconductor Corp. Bus interface system and method
US6182204B1 (en) * 1996-12-04 2001-01-30 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. PC card capable of providing multiple and/or different card information structures to a personal computer
EP1229720A2 (de) * 2001-01-31 2002-08-07 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Digitale Kamera und Verfahren zur deren Steuerung
EP1246071A1 (de) * 2001-03-28 2002-10-02 Nokia Corporation Verfahren zur Konfiguration von elektronischen Geräten
US20030046447A1 (en) * 2001-07-31 2003-03-06 Konstantin Kouperchliak Device-related software installation
US20050278461A1 (en) * 2004-06-10 2005-12-15 Microsoft Corporation Self-installing computer peripherals

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0786736A2 (de) * 1996-01-29 1997-07-30 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Drucker und Steuerungsverfahren dafür
US6182204B1 (en) * 1996-12-04 2001-01-30 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. PC card capable of providing multiple and/or different card information structures to a personal computer
US6012103A (en) * 1997-07-02 2000-01-04 Cypress Semiconductor Corp. Bus interface system and method
EP1229720A2 (de) * 2001-01-31 2002-08-07 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Digitale Kamera und Verfahren zur deren Steuerung
EP1246071A1 (de) * 2001-03-28 2002-10-02 Nokia Corporation Verfahren zur Konfiguration von elektronischen Geräten
US20030046447A1 (en) * 2001-07-31 2003-03-06 Konstantin Kouperchliak Device-related software installation
US20050278461A1 (en) * 2004-06-10 2005-12-15 Microsoft Corporation Self-installing computer peripherals

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